As a homeowner, you may be unaware of what GFCI or AFCI electrical outlets are - much less what they stand for. Although both of these types of outlets perform essentially the same function - controlling the flow of current in an electrical system - they do not operate in the same manner.

Every parent wants their home to be a safe and happy place for their baby to explore. But the truth is a modern home can be a hazardous place for an adventurous toddler. Electricity is an unavoidable element of modern life, and every home is filled with appliances, outlets, and electrical cords that can be dangerous for little ones.

Appliances are part of our daily lives. Are you tripping breakers as you use yours each day? If a breaker is tripping often, there could be a problem with wiring. Dedicated circuits are required by the National Electric Code (NED), who establishes the foundation for electrical safety. Harrison Electric can help you install dedicated circuits for your appliances. A residential electrician understands and can help you determine what appliance you should assign to a dedicated circuit.

You’ve probably noticed the tiny blue spark that occurs whenever you plug or unplug a gadget from an electrical outlet. In most cases the sparks are harmless. If the sparks increase in size or severity, however, it may be time for you to call Harrison Electric. A certified electrician can inspect your wall outlets or appliances to determine what the problem is. Below are some of the reasons why you see blue sparks and how hazardous they may or may not be.

The electrical outlet is the contact point between your device or appliance and the wiring throughout the home. If the connection is secure, you’ll get plenty of electricity to power your equipment. If it’s weak, you may suffer from electric shock, an electrical fire, or a power surge. In any case, we need to inspect the outlets in your home every one to two years to make sure they are in condition and working correctly. Upon inspection, we may need to upgrade the receptacles to newer, safer models. Here are three things we assess:

Are the appliances in your home set up to operate efficiently and safely? One of the ways you can tell is if you trip a breaker when you have too many electronic devices running at the same time. This could be a sign that you need an electrical upgrade to one or more dedicated circuits in your home. Harrison Electric Offers dedicated circuit installation if you need a circuit breaker fixed or replaced. Let’s take a closer look at dedicated circuits and how they can benefit your home.

For most parents, childproofing an electrical system includes purchasing a few plastic covers and plugging them into electrical outlets. Some curious children, however, have learned how to break that code and pull the covers off. Thankfully, there are safer options out there. Below, we explore three main types of outlet covers that are available for your home and how we can keep your child safe during their earliest years.

Are you tired of your electrical outlets shorting out? Then it’s time for you to get some upgrades. Harrison Electric offers five solutions for updating the electrical outlets in your home. Let’s take a closer look at each upgrade and how it benefits your entire electrical system.

Since the electrical wiring in your home is (or should be) hidden behind drywall and insulation, it’s not always easy to tell if there is a weak component in the system that could cause a fire. So if you can’t see the problems, then how do you know they are there? Below are five ways you can tell if there is an electrical problem, and what you should do about it.